Grading-machine.



No. 654,836. Patented m 3|, I900. r. MEBTSHEIMER & .1. A. EDSON.

' GRADING mAcpmE.

(Application filed Apr. 16, 1900:) (No Model.) 5.Sheets-Sheet I.

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No. 654.836. Patented lu'ly 3|, I900. F. MERTSHEIMER &. J. A. EDSON.

GRADING MACHINE.

(Application filed Apr 16, 1900.)

' (No Modem anvntow naw- THE nonms PETER! ca, Pumauma, WASNINGTDN. D. c.

No. 654,836 Patented July 3|, I900. F. MERTSHE IMER &. J. A. EDSON.GRADING MACHINE (Application filed Apr. 16, 1960. (No Model.) 5Sheets-Sheet 3 auvembow W M M w m1 1 W I g n nu l/vi 6 $2M No. 654,836.Patented luly 3|, I900.

F. mzm'susmsn & J. A. E0808.

GRADING MACHINE.-

(Application filed Apr. 10, 1900.) i "0 M0 8 0 5 $heafs-Sheet 4.

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' No. 654,836/ Patent ed luly 3|, I900.

F MERTSHEIMER &'J. A. EDSON.

GRADING MACHlNE.

(Application filed Apr. 16, 1900.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Model.)

the machine with the UNI ED ESTATES;

FREDERICK MERTSHEIMER AND JOB A. EDSON, OF KANSAS CITY,

PATENT OFFICE.

MISSOURI.

GRADING-MACHINE? SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters-gaunt No.654,836, dated July 31, 1900.

' Application filed April 16, 1900. fierial No. 181056- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that We, FREDERICK MERTS HEIMER and JOB A. EDSON, of KansasCity, county of Jackson, and State of Missouri, have invented a new anduseful Improvement in Gi'ading-lllachines, a specification. a I

This invention has reference to a gradingmachine designed moreparticularlyfor distributing dirt at the the banks the proper level andslope, such machines comprising usually a scraper-blade supported by acar traveling on the rails and adapted to act at the sides of the track.

The invention consists in various improvements in machines of thischaracter directed more particularly to the form and construction of thescraper-blade, the means for sustaining it on the car to provide for itsvarious adjustments and for folding it at the side of the car when notin use, and to various other features, as will be fully describedhereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of themachine with one of the scraper-blades extended for use and the otherfolded along the side of the car. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the sameas viewed in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1, with the scraperfolded. Fig. 3 is a top plan View of parts in the position shown inFig. 1. Fig. 4 is avertical sectional elevation, on an enlarged scale,on the lines a a and b b of Fig. 1, as viewed in the direction of thedotted arrow, showing how.

the lower edge of the extension-wing of the main blade is permitted toyield when encountering obstructions.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section, on an enlarged scale, on the line 0 c ofFig. 1, showing how the distributingwing is connected adjustably withthe main blade. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line at d of Fig.1, showing how the auxiliary sloping bladeis adjustably connected withthe main blade. Fig. 7 is an elevation of the upper endof-the cylinderfor raising the scraperblade, showing the valve for the admission of airto the cylinder in section, the parts being on an enlarged scale. Fig. 8is an end elevation of the valverdisk for controlling the admission ofair to and its exhaust from the cylinder. Fig. 9 is a horizontalsectional plan,

of which the'following is 1 sides of railroads to give 1 on an enlargedscale, through the extensionwing, showing the stop devices by which itis held to its work. I

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents a platform-oar appropriatelyconstructed to give the requisite strength to sustain the op erativeparts of the machine, comprising main scraper-blades 2, mounted atopposite sides of the car to travel along the sides of the track, andtheir operating-cylinders 3, mounted on the car, with their pistonssuitably connected with the blades, as more fully describedhereinafteigto raise and lower them, and as these parts-the blades andoperating mechanisms-are the same on both sides of the car-a descriptionof one set will suffice for both. i

of heavy planking having on its bottom a me tallic cutting edge 4 toprevent wearing. At its inner end it is connected to the car in suchmanner that it may be swung around on a vertical axis and raised orlowered, and this is effected by erecting on the car a verticaltransverse frame 5, consisting of two uprights 6, connected at theirupper ends by a cross beam 7. At the outer side of the upright there issustained a short distance from it a vertical cylindrical rod 8, withits lower end resting in a bracket on the under side of the frame of thecar. This rod is loosely encircled by three sleeves 9, 10, and 11, whichare fixed to the main blade to constituteahinged connection of the bladewith the rod. The sleeve 9 is sustained some distance above the upperedge of the blade on the end of a bracebar 12, extending diagonallyoutward and downward, withits lower end firmly secured to the blade.Adjacent to the sleeve the brace has connected to it the upper end of aVertical rod 13, whose lower end is fixed to the blade at its inneredge. The sleeve 10 is fixed to the upper edge of the blade,while thelower sleeve 11 is fixed a short distance below it. These sleeves andtheir brace-rods described afford a strong and effective hingedconnection for the blade, permitting it to be swung from alongside thecar outwardly to an operative position at an angle and permitting it tobe raised and lowered on the verticalrod 8 as a guideway. WVhen inoperation the blade projects from the side of the car at anangle,

ton therein.

supply will be cut. offfrom the cylinder and 7 forwardendsagainst therear face of the blade and with their rear ends against the side of thecar, one above the other. The ends of these rods are seated betweenvertical ears l6 on thebladeand car and pivotally secured-by Ihorizontal .pins 17, passing through theears and rods. By thusconnecting the rodsthey will not interfere with thevertical adiustmentsof the blade, the connection of their inner ends with the car and bladeacting pivotally when the blade is raised. When the blade is folded, thepins are withdrawn and the rods detached and may be carriedatithe' sideof the car in stirrups 18, 2. -Near its i connection with the car theblade has jointed to it the rear end of a'draft-chain19, whose forwardend is connected to the car-bod-y,the

purpose of which is to hold the blade properly 3 to its working positionwithout interfering with its vertical movement.

body by a chain 20.

The elevation of on the upper cross-beam 7. The end of the .cable isfixed toa rod 23, passingthroughthe end of the cylinder andconnected tothe-pis- By this means when the piston descends the blade will beraised, and vice We propose to operate the piston by compressed air,which may be taken from any suitable source; but we have shownthe .caras provided with an air-tank 24, with a connecting-hose extending to a]central supply-pipe 26, from which the vertical cyl The inders aresupplied'by branch pipes '27. branch pipe 27 communicates through valve.28 with the upper end of the cylinder, which valve is so formed thatwhen in one position air will be admitted to the cylinder, causing thedescent of the piston and the elev'ationof blade, and when in itsotherposition the aire /the upper end of the cylinder and having aninterior chamber 30, in whichis mounted to v oscillateavalve-disk31,-provided with a stem 32,passing*out throughthe end of the casing andformed-toreceive a handle 33 for turn-' ingit. At one side thecasing isprovided with an open-ing, -through which the air enters v tthechamberfrom the branchpipe 27,,as shown :in Fig. 7,and when the valve is in theposition-there indicated theair passes from saidrchamber throughan'opening 34 in the On its rear side the blade is further connectedwith the car the blade is effected by. the cylinder 3,;before alludedto, by means of 1 a cable 21, fixed at a balancing-point on the bladeand passing over a swiveling pulley 22.

This valve con disk and through an opening 35 in the casing,communicating with theechamber and connected by a pipe 36 with the upperend of the cylinder. The casing has, further, a central longitudinalexhaust-opening 37,

ing 34 in order to permit the air in the cylinder to return through theexhaust-opening. The connection of these openings is effectedby'means-of a radial recess 38 in the face of the valve-disk 31, soformed and arranged that when the disk is turned to the proper positionit will carry its opening 34 out of communication with-opening 35, so'asto out off the supply to the cylinder, and W111 bring the end of theradial passage 38 inline with opening 35, the result being that theexhaust will pass throughtheradial recess and'thence out through thelongitudinal exhaust-opening. .Thecylinder is mounted on the car so asto have a limited movement at its upper end transversely of itslongitudinal axis, to

rect pull on the .cable notwithstanding any changes in the position ofthepulley due to the different positions of the .main :blade. To providefor this movement of the cylinder, a rounded head. Aprojects from itslower end and is set loosely in ,a socket-plate B on the floor of thecar, the result ofwhich is that at its upper end the cylinder hasazlimited movement. It is maintainedin asubstantially-upright positionby a band D encircling the same and somewhat largerin diameter toadmitofa'limited' play therein.

From this, description it will be seen that when the blade is operatingit is held ifirmly to its work by the chains and braces,,so connectedthat they will not interfere with the structions. =It will be seen alsothat by .the disconnection of thebraces and draft-chain the blade may belifted by thezoperating-cylinder and swung around at-ither-side of thecar when it is not to be used or when :it :is desired to pass sideobstructions, suchas stand= ing cars or bridge-framings orythe like.

As the machine frequently follows in the path of ballast-cars andditching-machines to distribute and leveloff the dirt-dumped alongthesides of the track, it is important thatmeans be provided for freeing:the ties at the side of the rails and .also the latter from any dirtwhich may lodge thereon. This is accomplished by an extension-wing 39,hingedona vertical axis 40 on'the frontface ner lower corner the wing.is recessed, so as to extend at'the side of the rail and atthe topwhich is adapted to be connected with open- .the end that its piston mayact with a di-.

of the main blade near its inner endyso that vertical movement of theblade toavoid :ob-

ycs4,ese .3

of the same for thepurpose of freeing it of dirt. It is seen, therefore,that this wing acts independently of the main blade closely along-theupper sides of the ties and at the sides and tops of the rails.

tained in line with the in working position by'rods 41, projectingforward from the frame of the car, with their ends adapted to passthrough openings in the wing. The rods are provided adjacent to theirends with .shoulders 42, against which the wing rests and by which it isheld to its Work. The wing is in two sections, an upper main bodyportion 43 and a lower section 44, which latter is so connected with thebody that it may yield rearward to pass over obstructions, such asprojecting rocks between the ties or an abnormally-high tie. Toaccomplish this, the lower section is hinged to the body portion, as at45, Fig. 4, and is held yieldingly in the same general plane of the bodyby two spiral springs 46, encircling rods This wing is main- 47, jointedto lugs 48 on the lower section and passing loosely through lugs 49 onthe body, the springs bearing between the two lugs. The springs are ofsuch strength that under normal conditions they will hold the lowersection of the wing in operative position and the latter will act toproperly distribute the dirt. If, however, an obstruction is encountered, the springs will yield and permit the lower section to turnbackwardly, and after the obstruction is passed the section will bequickly returned to its normal working position.

In order that the dirt may be properly distributed close up to the endsof the ties notwithstanding variations in their length,which oftenoccurs, we provide the main blade at its inner end with a plate 50,adjustably connected thereto in such manner that it may be set atdifierent points 'in the line of the main blade to bring its inner edgeclose to the ends of the ties. This plate is secured to the blade bybolts 51, passing through long slots 52 in the plate.

For the purpose of giving the outer edge of the bank the proper slopefor drainage we provide a sloping wing 53, having its lower edgeinclined outwardly and downwardly, as shown in Fig. 1. This wing isadapted to be attached to the bottom of the main blade to form acontinuation of its lower edge and is adjustably connected thereto inorder that it may be set at various points in the length of the plate,according to the width thebank is to be given. It is attached to themain blade by means of lugs 54, Fig. 6, on the back of the wing, adaptedto pass through openings through the blade, to which the lugs aresecured by pins 55, extending through holes in the ends of the lugs atthe back of the blade. The main blade is provided throughout its lengthwith openings to receive these lugs, so that the wing may be changedfrom place to place, as desired. The leveling-b1ade being set while ,inoperation at an angle, as shown main blade and held in Fig. 3, acts inadvancing to gradually defleet the superfluous dirt rearwardly along itsface. In order, however, that the dirt may be carried forward to fill upweak places and depressions in the bank, we provide a distributing-wing56, consisting of a vertical plate hinged at its inner edge to the faceof the main blade, as at 57, in such manner that it may be swung outwardto extend at an angle to the blade, as shown more particularly in Fig.3. This plate has hinged to its free end legs 58, adapted to engage,respectively, notched plates 59, fixed at the top and bottom of the mainblade, so that it maybe set at difierent angles by engaging the legs inthe notches, according to the nature of the work to be performed, asregards the amount of dirt to be carried forward. We propose to providefor the connection of this wing adjustably to the main blade in orderthat it may be set at different points in the length of the blade toadvance the dirt ina narrow or'wide path, as desired. To effectthis,.'the inner edge of the wing has extending from its hinged joint aplate 60, to which are fixed threelugs 61, adapted to extend throughholes in the main blade and be firmly secured there'- to by a long pin62, extending through per forations in the ends of the lugs. Atintervals along the main blade other holes (SI -are provided to receivethese lugs, so that by the movement of the long pin the wing may besecured at different points. When the conditions are such that it is notnecessary to employ this distributing-wing,it may be folded fiat againstthe face of the plate and held in position by a pin 63, adapted to bepassed through perforated lugs 63 on the legs, which lugs are adapted inturn to extend'through holes in the blade.

In operation the scraper-blade is lowered to the position shown attheleft in Figs. 1 and 2 and is held at an angle and the brace-bars 15and the draft-chain 19. When the blade is to be folded fortransportation, the brace-bars are removed and placed in the receivingstirrups, the draftchain detached, and the air-valve operated to admitair to the top of the cylinder. This will cause the piston to descendand the blade to be raised, when it may be swung around to the side ofthe car, as shown in Fig. 2 and to the right in Figs. 1 and 3. In thisposition straps 64, fixed to the upper edge of the main blade, pass overlugs 65, projecting from the side of the car, and the blade is held infoldedposition by pins 66, passed through perforations .in the lugs, asshown in Figs. 2 and 3. The extension-wing 39, before alluded to,

has its inner lower corner recessed, as shown in Fig. 1, so that it mayoverhang the rail to free the same of dirt. By reason of its beinghinged at its inner edge to the face of the main blade it may be placedflat against the main blade, so as not to present any projecting surfacewhen the main the side of the car.

to its work by blade is folded at Having thus described our invention,what I '1. The combination with the car, of'the laterally-swinging andvertically-movable scraper-blade mounted thereon, a cylinder sustainedby the car in an upright position and movable laterally at its upperend, a piston and piston-rod for said cylinder, a guide situated abovethe cylinder, a-cable passing overzsaid guide and attached at its endsrespectively to the piston-rod and scraperblade, and means for admittingfluid under I pressure into the cylinder above the piston.

2. The combination with the car, of the main scraper-blade sustainedthereby at'the, side of the track and terminatingat the ends oftheties,.and an extension wing adapted to extend beneath the car with itslower edge horizontal and at ahigher level thanthe lower edge of theblade and closely overlying the upper sidesof the ties and having itsinner lowercorner recessed to extend at thesides ofthe rails andcloselyat the tops of the same. 1 p 4. The combination with the car, of the'scraper-blade sustainedthereby to act at the side of the track, and ahorizontally swinging extension-wing sustained by the scraperblade andadapted to act beneath the car,

5. In combination with the car, a scraper-v blade sustained thereby toact at the side of the car, and an extension-wing pivoted to thescraper-blade-and adapted to be swung under thecar adjacent to therails.

6. In combination with the car, a scraperblade mounted at its inner endon the car and adapted to befolded at the side of the same, and-anextension-wing pivoted near the inner endof the blade to fold flatlyagainst the same and adapted to be swung beneath the car adjacent to therail; whereby when the main blade is foldedat the side of the car-theextension-wing may be placed flat against' its face.

7. The combination with the car, of the extension-wing having its loweredge movable rearwardwith respect to the upper portion;

whereby thelower portion of the blade will yield inencou'nteringobstructions.v I 8. The combination with the car, of theextension-wing comprising an upper main 'body and a lower. horizontalsection, anda spring acting to hold the lower section in -anoperativeposition whereby the lower section 1m ay yield in encounteringobstructions.

9; The combination with the car, of the portion and a extension-wingcomprising an upper body lower horizontal section forming a continuationof the body portion, lugs on said parts, a lowersection and passingloosely through the lug on the body portion, a spiral'spring encirclingthe rod and bearing between the lugs, and a hinged connection betweenthe lower section and body portion. 7

rod jointed to the lug of the- 10. The combination with the car of thescraper-blade sustained thereby to act at the side of the track, anextension-wing pivoted at one end only to swing beneath the car, and astop on the car to limit the rearward motion of the wing. Y 1

a 11. The combination with the car, of the extension wing mounted toswing beneath the same and provided with an opening, a

rod extending from the car with its end in position to extend throughsaid opening when the blade is swung to an operative position, and ashoulder on said rod adapted to limit the rearward movement of theblade.-

12. In combination with the car, a scraper blade formed with a lowerscraping edge adapted to act at the side of the track and terminating atthe ends of the ties, and a plate-connected adjustably with the-blade atit s-inner-end and provided with a lower scraping-edge forming acontinuation of thelower edge of the blade, said plate adapted to beadjusted close up to the ends of the ties.

, 13. In combination with the car, a scraper blade sustained thereby, toact at the side of the track, an adjustableblade at the inner edge ofthe blade adapted to be set close up vt0 the ends of the ties, and anextension-wing adapted to extend over the ends of the ties. 14;; Incombination with the car, a main scraper-blade sustained thereby andprovided with a lower scraping edge adapted to act at the side of thetrack, and a slopingwing adjustably connected with the main blade nearitsouter end and formed with a lower edge sloping outward and downwardand forming a continuation of the lower active edge of thescraper-blade.

15. In combinationwith the car, a scraperblade adapted to act at theside of the track at aninclination with respect to the car, and adist-ributi'ng-wing applied to the front face of the scraper-blade andadapted to extend at an angle thereto.

16. In combination'with the car, a main blade sustained thereby at aninohnatlon to act at the side of the car, adistributing-wing on the faceof the blade, and means for varying the angleof the same with respect tothe blade.

' 17. Incombination with the car, a soraperblade extending at aninclination with the same to act at the side of the track, adistributing-wing consisting of a vertical plate hinged at its inner endto the faceof the blade on'a verticalaxis, and means for sustaining itsouter end sothat it-will extend at an inc lination with respect to theblade.

18. In combination with the car, a scraperblade extending at aninclination to the same to act at the side of the track, adistributingwing consisting of a vertical plate hinged at its inner endto the face of the blade on a vertical axis, and a supporting-legpivoted at the opposite end of the plate and adapted to engage theblade; whereby the distributingwing may be adjusted at dilferentinclinations with respect to the scraper-blade.

19. In combination with the car a scraper blade sustained thereby at aninclination to act at the side of the track, a distributingwingadjnstably connected to the face of the blade and adapted to extend atan angle to the same. 7

20. In combination with a car, a scraperblade extending at aninclination at the side of the car, a distributing-wing pivoted at itsinner end to-the blade, and means for changing the point of attachmentof the wing with the blade in the direction of the length of the blade.

21. The combination with the car of the swinging scraper-blade adaptedto be folded at the side of the same, an extension-t ring pivoted to theface of the blade near its inner end, and adapted to fold flatly againstthe same, and a distributing-wing pivoted to the face of the bladebeyond the extension-wing,

and adapted also to fold flatly against the 1 blade; whereby when thescraper-blade is folded at the side of the car the extensionwing anddistributing-wing may be adjusted flat against the face of the same.

22. In combination with the car, a scraperblade pivoted at its inner endthereto, means for raising and lowering the same, and abracerod havingits ends detachably connected on horizontal axes respectively with thescraperblade and car.

-23.- The combination with the car, of the vertically-movablescraper-blades sustained on opposite sides thereof, two cylinderssustained by the .car and provided with pistons, cables connecting thepistons with the respective blades, independently-acting valves forcontrolling the admission of fluid under pressure to the respectivecylinders, a supply-pipe for the fluid under pressure, common to bothcylinders and branch pipes extending from said supply-pipe to therespective valves; whereby the blades may be operated one independentlyof the other.

In testimony whereof we hereunto set our hands, this 2d day of April,1900, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

FREDERICK MERTSHEIMER. JOB A. EDSON. Witnesses:

JOHN W. SHAW, W. B. DUNLEVY.

